My son said an Amazon gift card. I’d like something more personal. He wouldn’t consider clothes as special. I suggested theater tickets or a hotel. Anyway, open for suggestions. Every other b/d, I transfer $$$ into his account.
My favorite gift I ever gave my son.
I got a wallet. It had little slots for credit cards and the like. I bought him a bunch of gift cards and put them in the wallet. They ranged from $50 to $100 each. I got Whole Foods, Express, TRader Joes, BBB, Home Depot, Panera. Some gas station. Starbucks.
You could choose cards that you know your kid would use. I tried to find things my kid liked, but wouldn’t frequent because of the costs.
Oh he, sounds good
Would a special event with the two of you work? Maybe a short trip, or a special dinner, concert, or whatever is Important to you both?
If he likes Dunkin Donuts you can get a personalized GC with a picture that is meaningful to him. A news paper from the day he was born (NYT sells these), stock for a company he likes, or the wallet and GC idea Thumper suggested sounds ideal.And if he lives in a city with lots of colleges, tickets to plays, sporting events throughout the year.
Experiences. Gift card to an indoor skydiving, zip line, rock climbing wall or similar adventure. Maybe buy 2 and have him being a friend.
Nope, his G/f is coming for his b/d. That is why I suggested a weekend away or theatre tickets. He lives in Cambridge, MA, so he prefers non chain restaurants. Last year, he used our joint credit card to go to a small, chef owned restaurant, with a fixed price for meal. He passed this place on his daily route, so was excited to actually eat there. (Then kind of disappointed). Another year, he used the $$ I sent to get a high end bike. He uses that to get to school, but also for weekend bike rides in the country. Other gifts over the years have included a watch, a joint trip to Hawaii, a trip to see his Aunt. When he was going to Japan for a conference, he used his b/d $$$ to extend the trip, bring g/f over, and tour. (Well, my gift only partially paid for that).
I’m sure I am missing ideas.
Even non-chain restaurants have gift cards if you are interested in going that route.
What kind of hobbies/interests does he have?
Couldn’t you send him and g/f on an experience?
PG, brilliant I went to a link for September events, and forwarded it to him, pointing out a few things, like baseball games, shows, Harbour cruises.
Dos, they like camping, but G/f has the tent and stuff. I may suggest they tour the museums in Lexington again.
I agree with the “experience” suggestions.
Or, where does his girlfriend live? Maybe airlines gift card for visiting his girlfriend?
I like the gift of experiences idea. It will give him a chance to do something that he has never tried out before but has always wanted to do.
I just research restaurants in Cincinnati and went to the website and printed out a gift certificate and mailed
it to a friend for his retirement.
Bet you can do the same for an experience. The only issue is it has to be open ended unless you know their schedules.
I give gift cards to independent, well regarded restaurants frequently. If the restaurant doesn’t have something to order a GC on their website, just call them and they’ll mail to you or the recipient directly. Easy peasy.
I know for one of my kids, my next thing to gift them, if they are in a place where they don’t want some electronic, clothing, other tangible typical gift item is to start them on an art collection, helping them choose an original piece from a local artist they admire and can hang on their walls.
A painting is a great idea. I forgot, but when he moved into his apartment, my gift to him was a Turkish rug. (His wish) He lives a block from a great store. They took all his favorites outside to the street, so he could eliminate. That rug resides in his bedroom. I think shopping for a piece of art would be lovely.
This is what my big boy Mr. B got from one of his buddies for his big six-o:
https://www.porschedriving.com/centers/Atlanta
The track in LA will open in October. 
How far away is his birthday? I would give him plenty of time to research what he wants. It’s hard to think when under pressure, that’s probably why he just wants the gift card. Plus, it might be difficult to adk for something not knowing if the price would seem to extravagant. Could you tell him upfront the dollar amount you were thinking, so we will have a gauge?
I like the artwork idea or an experience/special activity. It’s great you put so much thought into his gifts.
For my 21st (like my older brother’s), Mom scavenged the family scrapbooks and put together my personal one. That would work for 30 as well, if you have any material for the later years. I’m 64 now, and I still have that scrapbook.
I vote for “experiences”. We were very fortunate son was able to join us so we took him to Whistler for this 30th. Zip lining, jeep rides, bike rides, beer tasting. He took one day to self and did a long day hike on mountain. We had a great time with enjoyable memories. Birthday ended up being travel back day so he actually spent 30th in Whister, Vancouver, Las Vegas and LAX.